Foodstuff Packaging Assembly and Related Methods

ABSTRACT

An assembly includes foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff, and a second foodstuff. The foodstuff packaging includes a portion configured to generate heat. The first foodstuff is disposed within the foodstuff packaging and includes a first foodstuff material configured to transition from a first state to a second state upon application of the heat. The second foodstuff is disposed within the foodstuff packaging and is (i) separated from the first foodstuff when the first foodstuff is arranged in the first state and (ii) comingled with the first foodstuff when the first foodstuff is arranged in the second state to define a comingled foodstuff.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 62/401,302, filed on Sep. 29, 2016. The disclosures of these prior applications are considered part of the disclosure of this application and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a foodstuff packaging assembly and more particularly to a foodstuff packaging assembly including foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff disposed within the foodstuff packaging, and a second foodstuff disposed within the foodstuff packaging. The disclosure also relates to a method for assembling a foodstuff packaging assembly and a method for utilizing a foodstuff packaging assembly.

BACKGROUND

Foodstuff packaging including foodstuff contained therein are known. While existing foodstuff packaging including foodstuff contained therein perform adequately for their intended purpose, improvements to foodstuff packaging including foodstuff contained therein are continuously being sought in order to advance the arts.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure provides an assembly. The assembly may include foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff disposed within the foodstuff packaging, and a second foodstuff disposed within the foodstuff packaging. The first foodstuff may include a first foodstuff material that is configured for transitioning from a substantially solid state to a substantially liquid state upon application of heat generated by a portion of the foodstuff packaging. The first foodstuff may be separated from, and not comingled throughout, the second foodstuff when the first foodstuff is arranged in the substantially solid state. The first foodstuff may be comingled throughout the second foodstuff when the first foodstuff is arranged in the substantially liquid state to define a comingled foodstuff. The second foodstuff may include a second foodstuff material that is not configured for transitioning from a substantially solid state to a substantially liquid state upon application of the heat generated by the portion of the foodstuff packaging.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. The second foodstuff material may be selected from the group consisting of: granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts and cereal.

In some implementations, the first foodstuff material may be selected from the group consisting of: chocolate and fudge.

In some examples, the first foodstuff material may include ice cream.

In some implementations, the foodstuff packaging may include a foodstuff container, a heating element that may be selectively activated, and a closure. The foodstuff container may include a base portion and a sidewall portion connected to the base portion. The base portion may include an inner surface and an outer surface. The sidewall portion may include an inner surface, an outer surface and a distal end surface connecting the inner surface to the outer surface. The inner surface of the base portion and the inner surface of the sidewall portion may define a foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container. Access to the foodstuff-receiving cavity is formed by an opening defined by the inner surface of the sidewall portion and the distal end surface of the sidewall portion. The heating element may be attached to the outer surface of the base portion. The closure may be removably attached to one or more of the distal end surface of the sidewall portion and the outer surface of the sidewall portion.

In some examples, the heating element may include a first portion and a second portion that is detachably-connected to the first portion. The first portion of the heating element may include an inner surface, an outer surface and one or more passages formed in the outer surface of the first portion of the heating element. The second portion of the heating element may include an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the second portion of the heating element may be disposed adjacent the outer surface of the first portion of the heating element. The inner surface of the first portion of the heating element may be disposed adjacent the outer surface of the base portion of the foodstuff container.

In some implementations, the first portion of the heating element may define a cavity that contains a chemically-activated material. More particularly, the chemically-activated material may be an oxygen-activated material. The second portion of the heating element may be a removable film member. Upon removing the removable film member of the heating element from the first portion of the heating element, the one or more passages formed in the outer surface of the first portion of the heating element may arrange the chemically-activated material in direct fluid communication with the surrounding atmosphere for permitting oxygen to chemically react with the chemically-activated material for causing the first portion of the heating element to generate heat.

In some examples, the chemically-activated material includes zinc. When the oxygen chemically reacts with the zinc, the zinc may become zinc oxide.

In some implementations, both of the first foodstuff and the second foodstuff are contained within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container.

In some examples, the foodstuff packaging includes a foodstuff separator arranged within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container for separating the foodstuff-receiving cavity into: a first foodstuff-receiving cavity portion that is sized for receiving an amount of the first foodstuff and a second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion that is sized for receiving an amount of the second foodstuff.

In some implementations, the foodstuff separator includes an upper surface, a lower surface and a side surface connecting the upper surface to the lower surface. The foodstuff separator may also be defined by a thickness extending between the upper surface of the foodstuff separator and the lower surface of the foodstuff separator. The foodstuff separator may also include a plurality of passages that extend through the thickness of the foodstuff separator for arranging the first foodstuff-receiving cavity portion in fluid communication with the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion.

In some examples, the heating element is attached to the foodstuff container. In other examples, the heating element is formed with the foodstuff container. In yet other examples, the heating element is formed with the closure.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method for assembling an assembly. The method may include: providing foodstuff packaging including a foodstuff container defining a foodstuff-receiving cavity, a heating element attached to an outer surface of the foodstuff container; disposing a first foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity. The first foodstuff may include a first foodstuff material that is configured for transitioning from a substantially solid state to a substantially liquid state upon application of heat generated by the heating element. The method may further include disposing a second foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity. The first foodstuff may not be comingled throughout the second foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity when the first foodstuff is arranged in the substantially solid state. The first foodstuff may be comingled throughout the second foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity when the first foodstuff is arranged in the substantially liquid state to define a comingled foodstuff. The second foodstuff may include: a second foodstuff material that is not configured for transitioning from a substantially solid state to a substantially liquid state upon application of the heat generated by the heating element.

This aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. Disposing the first foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity may include: extruding the first foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity while the first foodstuff is in a substantially liquid state; and curing the first foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity such that the first foodstuff transitions to a substantially solid state and sticks to at least one inner surface of the foodstuff container.

In some implementations, disposing the first foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity includes: depositing the first foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity while the first foodstuff is in a substantially state such that the first foodstuff is disposed adjacent to at least one inner surface of the foodstuff container.

In some examples, disposing the second foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity includes: depositing the second foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity such that some of the second foodstuff is disposed adjacent to at least a portion of an upper surface of the first foodstuff.

In some implementations, the foodstuff packaging further includes a closure removably attached to the foodstuff container for providing selective access to the foodstuff-receiving cavity that contains the first foodstuff and the second foodstuff deposited therein.

In some examples, the method may include disposing a foodstuff separator within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container for separating the foodstuff-receiving cavity into: a first foodstuff-receiving cavity portion that is sized for receiving an amount of the first foodstuff and a second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion that is sized for receiving an amount of the second foodstuff. The foodstuff separator also includes a plurality of passages that extend through a thickness of the foodstuff separator for arranging the first foodstuff-receiving cavity portion in fluid communication with the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion.

In some implementations, disposing the second foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity may include: depositing the second foodstuff within the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion such that some of the second foodstuff is not disposed adjacent to at least a portion of an upper surface of the first foodstuff. Some of the second foodstuff is not disposed adjacent to at least a portion of an upper surface of the foodstuff separator.

In some examples, the foodstuff packaging further includes a closure removably attached to the foodstuff container for providing selective access to the foodstuff-receiving cavity that contains the first foodstuff and the second foodstuff deposited therein.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure provides a method for utilizing an assembly. The method may include: providing foodstuff packaging including a foodstuff container defining a foodstuff-receiving cavity, a heating element attached to a surface of the foodstuff container. The heating element may include a first portion and a second portion that is detachably-connected to the first portion. The first portion of the heating element includes chemically-activated material. The method may also include detachably-removing the second portion of the heating element from the first portion of the heating element for permitting oxygen from surrounding atmosphere to chemically react with the chemically-activated material for causing the first portion of the heating element to generate heat. The method may also include transferring the heat generated by the first portion of the heating element from the heating element to the foodstuff container. The method may also include further transferring the heat generated by the first portion of the heating element from the heating element to a first foodstuff by way of the foodstuff container. The first foodstuff may be contained within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container. The method may also include utilizing the heat that is transferred to the first foodstuff for transitioning the first foodstuff from a substantially solid state to a substantially liquid state. The method may also include comingling the first foodstuff that is in the liquid state with the second foodstuff that is contained within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container for forming a comingled foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container.

This aspect may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the method also includes removing a closure from the foodstuff packaging for accessing the comingled foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container.

In some implementations, the method includes: stirring or shaking the comingled foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container; and consuming the comingled foodstuff that is contained within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container.

In some examples, the second foodstuff material is selected from the group consisting of: granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts and cereal.

In some implementations, the first foodstuff includes a foodstuff material is selected from the group consisting of: chocolate and fudge.

The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an assembly including foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff and a second foodstuff in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate cross-sectional views of a methodology for assembling the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 2A′-2E′ illustrate cross-sectional views of another methodology for assembling the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate perspective views of a method of utilizing the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4A-4I illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of utilizing the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of another assembly including foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff, and a second foodstuff in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 6A-6G illustrate cross-sectional views of a methodology for assembling the assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6D′ is an enlarged view of FIG. 6D according to line 6D′;

FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate perspective views of a method of utilizing the assembly of FIG. 5; and

FIGS. 8A-8I illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of utilizing the assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of another assembly including foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff, and a second foodstuff in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 10A-10F illustrate cross-sectional views of a methodology for assembling the assembly of FIG. 9;

FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate perspective views of a method of utilizing the assembly of FIG. 9; and

FIGS. 12A-12I illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of utilizing the assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exploded view of another assembly including foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff, and a second foodstuff in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 14A-14D illustrate cross-sectional views of a methodology for assembling the assembly of FIG. 13;

FIGS. 15A-15D illustrate perspective views of a method of utilizing the assembly of FIG. 13; and

FIGS. 16A-16G illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of utilizing the assembly of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 illustrates an exploded view of another assembly including foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff, and a second foodstuff in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 18A-18D illustrate cross-sectional views of a methodology for assembling the assembly of FIG. 17;

FIGS. 19A-19D illustrate perspective views of a method of utilizing the assembly of FIG. 17; and

FIGS. 20A-20G illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of utilizing the assembly of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and the example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

With reference to FIG. 1, an assembly 10 is shown. The assembly 10 includes a plurality of members defining foodstuff packaging (see, e.g., reference numerals 12, 14, 20), a first foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 16) and a second foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 18). When the assembly 10 is assembled (see, e.g., FIG. 2F or 2E′), the first foodstuff 16 may be separated from, and not comingled throughout, the second foodstuff 18. The assembly 10 may be subsequently activated (see, e.g., FIGS. 3B-3C, 4C-4D) by a user U (see, e.g., FIG. 4I) in order to cause a portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 14 a) of the foodstuff packaging 12, 14, 20 to impart heat (see, e.g., reference letter H in FIGS. 4C-4F) to the first foodstuff 16; the heat H imparted to the first foodstuff 16 may cause the first foodstuff 16 to transition or phase change (e.g., melt) from a first state (e.g., solid) to a second state (e.g., liquid). With the assistance of gravity, in the second state the first foodstuff 16 may seep or ooze into the second foodstuff 18 such that the first foodstuff 16 is comingled throughout the second foodstuff 18 while the first foodstuff 16 and the second foodstuff 18 are contained within another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 12) of the foodstuff packaging 12, 14, 20 in order to define a comingled foodstuff (see, e.g., reference letter F in FIGS. 3C-3D, 4E-4I) that is contained within the foodstuff packaging 12, 14, 20. The user U may then remove (see, e.g., FIGS. 4G-4H) another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 20) of the foodstuff packaging 12, 14, 20 in order to gain access (see, e.g., FIG. 4H) to the portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 12) of the foodstuff packaging 12, 14, 20 that contains the comingled foodstuff F in order to subsequently consume (see, e.g., FIG. 4I) the comingled foodstuff F.

Referring to FIG. 1, the assembly 10 may include a foodstuff container 12, a heating element 14, a first foodstuff 16, a second foodstuff 18, and a closure 20. FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate a first methodology for assembling the assembly 10. FIGS. 2A′-2E′ illustrate a second methodology for assembling the assembly 10.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the foodstuff container 12 may include a base portion 22 connected to a sidewall portion 24. The base portion 22 includes an inner surface 22 _(I) and an outer surface 22 _(O). The sidewall portion 24 includes an inner surface 24 _(I), an outer surface 24 _(O), and a distal end surface 24 _(D) that connects the inner surface 24 _(I) to the outer surface 24 _(O).

The inner surface 22 _(I) of the base portion 22 and the inner surface 24 _(I) of the sidewall portion 24 define a foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12. Access to the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 is formed by an opening 28 defined by the inner surface 24 _(I) of the sidewall portion 24 and the distal end surface 24 _(D) of the sidewall portion 24.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2A, the heating element 14 includes a first portion 14 a and a second portion 14 b. Referring to FIG. 2A, the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 includes an inner surface 14 a _(I), an outer surface 14 a _(O), and one or more passages 14 a _(P) formed in the outer surface 14 a _(O). The second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 includes an inner surface 14 b _(I) and an outer surface 14 b _(O). The inner surface 14 b _(I) of the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 14 a _(O) of the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14. The inner surface 14 a _(I) of the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 22 _(O) of the base portion 22. The second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 may be a removable film member that is discarded into a trash receptacle T once the inner surface 14 b _(I) of the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 is selectively-detached from (and no longer disposed adjacent to) the outer surface 14 a _(O) of the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14.

The first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 further defines a cavity 29. The cavity 29 may include a chemically-activated material 30. For example, the chemically-activated material 30 may be disposed within the cavity 29. The chemically-activated material 30 may include an air-activated material, and more particularly, an oxygen-activated material, such as, for example, zinc. When the inner surface 14 b _(I) of the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 14 a _(O) of the first portion 14 a, the second portion 14 b may prevent fluid communication between the cavity 29 and the atmosphere A through the one or more passages 14 a _(P) formed in the outer surface 14 a _(O) of the first portion 14 a. In particular, when the inner surface 14 b _(I) of the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 14 a _(O) of the first portion 14 a, the one or more passages 14 a _(P) may be prevented from fluidly communicating with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby preventing oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 14 a _(P) formed in the outer surface 14 a _(O) of the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 30). However, as will be described in the following disclosure at FIGS. 3B-3C, 4C-4D, a user U may selectively activate the chemically-activated material 30 by removing the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 from the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 in order to permit the oxygen O from the surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 14 a _(P) formed in the outer surface 14 a _(O) of the first portion 14 a and into the cavity 29 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activated material 30. When the oxygen O comes into contact with the chemically-activated material 30, a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activated material 30 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activated material 30 to generate heat.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the first foodstuff 16 (e.g., chocolate, fudge or the like) may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12. In an example, as seen in FIG. 2B, the first foodstuff 16 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12 in a liquid state or a solid state. If the first foodstuff 16 is in liquid state when it is deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12, the first foodstuff 16 may be extruded into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12 from an extruder or first foodstuff hopper H_(C).

Referring to FIG. 2C, after a predetermined period of time, the first foodstuff 16 may be permitted to cure in order to permit the first foodstuff 16 to transition from a liquid state to a solid state. In an example, when the first foodstuff 16 is cured into a solid state, the first foodstuff 16 may stick to but may also be removably attached to at least a portion of the inner surface 22 _(I) of the base portion 22 of the foodstuff container 12. In some instances, when the first foodstuff 16 is cured into a solid state, the first foodstuff 16 may be attached to or disposed over (i) all of the inner surface 22 _(I) of the base portion 22 of the foodstuff container 12 and (ii) a portion of the inner surface 24 _(I) of the sidewall portion 24 of the foodstuff container 12 that extends away from the inner surface 22 _(I) of the base portion 22.

As seen in FIG. 2C, when the first foodstuff 16 has cured into a solid state, the first foodstuff 16 may be defined by an upper surface 16 _(I), a lower surface 16 _(O) and a side surface 16 _(S) connecting the upper surface 16 _(I) to the lower surface 16 _(O). The first foodstuff 16 may also be defined by a thickness T₁₆ extending between the upper surface 16 _(I) and the lower surface 16 _(O). Furthermore, if the inner surface 24 _(I) of the sidewall portion 24 of the foodstuff container 12 defines the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12 to have a substantially cylindrical shape, the side surface 16 _(S) of the first foodstuff 16 may define the first foodstuff 16 to have a diameter D₁₆.

Referring to FIG. 2D, after the first foodstuff 16 has cured into a solid state, the second foodstuff 18 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12. The second foodstuff material 18 may include one or more of, but is not limited to: granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts, cereal or the like. Although the second foodstuff 18 is shown to include a plurality of pieces or units of foodstuff, the second foodstuff 18 may include one piece or one unit of foodstuff that is deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26.

In some examples (with respect to the present embodiment and subsequent embodiments described in the present disclosure with respect to assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400), the second foodstuff 18 may be defined as a “low moisture” food material. Conversely, an exemplary “high moisture” food material may be defined to include, for example, ice cream, chocolate, fudge or the like. Therefore, in some instances, when the second foodstuff 18 includes, for example, one or more of granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts, cereal or the like, such foodstuff is known to have a relatively low moisture content, and, therefore, may be deemed or defined as being an exemplary “low moisture” foodstuff material. Accordingly, in some instances, the second foodstuff 18 may include a “low moisture” foodstuff material, and, in being differentiated from the first foodstuff 16, the second foodstuff 18 may be deemed or defined in the negative context as not being a “high moisture” foodstuff material. Furthermore, in other examples, the first foodstuff 16 and the second foodstuff 18 may be defined as having approximately the same moisture content.

In an example, as seen in FIG. 2D, the second foodstuff 18 may deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12 from a second foodstuff hopper H_(G). The second foodstuff 18 may be contained with the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 and arranged upon and over the upper surface 16 _(I) of the first foodstuff 16 such that that second foodstuff 18 is separated from, and not comingled or mixed with, the first foodstuff 16.

As seen in FIG. 2E, the second foodstuff hopper H_(G) may meter any desirable amount of the second foodstuff 18 into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26. In some instances, the second foodstuff hopper H_(G) may meter an amount of the second foodstuff 18 that is approximately equal to a remainder of a volume of the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 that is not occupied by the first foodstuff 16.

Referring to FIG. 2E, the closure 20 includes at least a base portion 32. The base portion 32 includes an inner surface 32 _(I) and an outer surface 32 _(O).

Optionally, the closure 20 may also include a sidewall portion 34 connected to the base portion 32. The sidewall portion 34 includes an inner surface 34 _(I), an outer surface 34 _(O), and a distal end surface 34 _(D) that connects the inner surface 34 _(I) to the outer surface 34 _(O).

The inner surface 32 _(I) of the base portion 32 and the inner surface 34 _(I) of the sidewall portion 34 define a container-receiving cavity 36. Access to the container-receiving cavity 36 is formed by an opening 38 defined by the inner surface 34 _(I) of the sidewall portion 34 and the distal end surface 34 _(D) of the sidewall portion 34.

Referring to FIG. 2F, in some instances, if the closure 20 is not formed with the sidewall portion 34 such that the closure 20 includes only the base portion 32, the inner surface 32 _(I) of the base portion 32 of the closure 20 may be removably attached to the distal end surface 24 _(D) of the sidewall portion 24 of the foodstuff container 12. Attachment of the inner surface 32 _(I) of the base portion 32 of the closure 20 to the distal end surface 24 _(D) of the sidewall portion 24 of the foodstuff container 12 may be conducted in any desirable methodology such as, for example, ultrasonic welding, a friction-fit connection or the like. However, if the closure 20 is formed with and includes the sidewall portion 34, the inner surface 34 _(I) of the sidewall portion 34 of the closure 20 may include a threaded surface (not shown) that cooperates with a corresponding threaded surface (not shown) formed upon a portion of the outer surface 240 of the sidewall portion 24 of the foodstuff container 12 in order to removably attach the closure 20 to the foodstuff container 12.

Referring to FIGS. 2A′-2E′ an alternative methodology for assembling the assembly 10 is described. The alternative methodology for assembling the assembly 10 of FIGS. 2A′-2E′ is substantially similar to the methodology for assembling the assembly 10 of FIGS. 2A-2F. The methodology for assembling the assembly 10 of FIGS. 2A′-2E′ does, however, differ from the methodology for assembling the assembly 10 of FIGS. 2A-2F as shown and described below at FIGS. 2B′-2C′; therefore, the following description related to the methodology associated with the assembling of the assembly 10 at FIGS. 2A′-2E′ is limited to the disclosure found at FIGS. 2B′-2C′ (i.e., the remaining disclosure associated with the assembly of the assembly 10 at FIGS. 2A′-2E′ is substantially the same as the disclosure associated with the assembly of the assembly 10 at FIGS. 2A-2F).

Referring to FIG. 2B′, the first foodstuff 16 (e.g., chocolate, fudge or the like) may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12. In an example, as seen in FIG. 2B′, the first foodstuff 16 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12 in a pre-cured, substantially solid form (rather than in liquid form as described above at FIG. 2B). If the first foodstuff 16 is in a pre-cured, substantially solid form when it is deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12, the first foodstuff 16 may be metered from a first foodstuff hopper H_(C) that may include, for example, a magazine of prefabricated first foodstuff 16 members that are in a pre-cured, substantially solid form.

Referring to FIG. 2C′, the first foodstuff 16 may be removably attached to or, alternatively, disposed over at least a portion of the inner surface 22 _(I) of the base portion 22 of the foodstuff container 12. In some instances, the first foodstuff 16 may be attached to or disposed over all of the inner surface 22 _(I) of the base portion 22 of the foodstuff container 12 and a portion of the inner surface 24 _(I) of the sidewall portion 24 of the foodstuff container 12 that extends away from the inner surface 22 _(I) of the base portion 22 of the foodstuff container 12.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3D and 4A-4I, a method of utilizing the assembly 10 of FIG. 1 is described. Referring to FIGS. 3A and 4A, the outer surface 14 b _(O) of the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 may be first optionally arranged upon a support surface S such that the assembly 10 is arranged in a “right-side-up” orientation upon the support surface S. Then, as seen in FIGS. 3B and 4B, the outer surface 32 _(O) of the base portion 32 of the closure 20 may be arranged upon the support surface S such that the assembly 10 is arranged in an “up-side-down” orientation upon the support surface S.

Referring to FIGS. 3B and 4B, once the assembly 10 is arranged in the “up-side-down” orientation upon the support surface S, the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14, which may be a removable film member, is then selectively-detached from the outer surface 14 a _(O) of the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14. As seen in FIG. 3C, once removed from the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14, the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 may be discarded into a trash receptacle T.

Referring to FIGS. 3C and 4C-4D, once the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 is selectively-detached from the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14, the chemically-activated material 30 contained within the cavity 29 of the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 is selectively activated. Activation of the chemically-activated material 30 contained within the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 occurs when oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to be in fluid communication with the chemically-activated material 30. As described above, when the inner surface 14 b _(I) of the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 14 a _(O) of the first portion 14 a, the one or more passages 14 a _(P) formed in the outer surface 14 a _(O) of the first portion 14 a are not permitted to be in fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby not permitting oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 14 a _(P) formed in the outer surface 14 a _(O) of the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 30). However, once the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 is removed from the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 as described above, an oxygen barrier formed by the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 no longer exists, and, as a result, oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to pass through the one or more passages 14 a _(P) formed in the outer surface 14 a _(O) of the first portion 14 a such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activated material 30. When the oxygen O comes into contact with the chemically-activated material 30, a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activated material 30 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activated material 30 to generate heat H (see, e.g., FIG. 4C).

Referring to FIGS. 3D and 4D-4F, the heat H generated by the chemically-activated material 30 of the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 is passed through the base portion 22 of the foodstuff container 12 such that the heat H is ultimately imparted into and absorbed by the first foodstuff 16. Comparatively, as seen in FIGS. 4C-4F, the heat H causes the first foodstuff 16 to transition from a substantially solid state (see, e.g., FIG. 4C) to a melted, substantially liquid state (see, e.g., FIGS. 4D-4F). As seen in FIGS. 4D-4F, as the first foodstuff 16 transitions to a melted, substantially liquid form, the first foodstuff 16, with the assistance of gravity, detaches from one or more of the inner surface 22 _(I) of the base portion 22 of the foodstuff container 12 and the inner surface 24 _(I) of the sidewall portion 24 of the foodstuff container 12 such that the first foodstuff 16 vertically seeps or oozes downwardly and into the second foodstuff 18 such that the first foodstuff 16 is comingled throughout the second foodstuff 18 to define a comingled foodstuff F that is contained within foodstuff container 12.

Referring to FIGS. 4F-4G, the container 12, the heating element 14 and the closure 20 is then returned to the “right-side-up” orientation upon the support surface S that that the outer surface 14 a _(O) of the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 is arranged upon the support surface S. Then, as seen in FIGS. 4G-4H, the closure 20 may be selectively-removed from the foodstuff container 12 such that a user U (see, e.g., FIG. 4I) may access the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12 that contains the comingled foodstuff F. If desired, as seen in FIG. 4H, the user U may arrange a utensil (e.g., a spoon SP) within the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12 for mixing or stirring the comingled foodstuff F. Alternatively, the closure 20 could remain attached to the foodstuff container 12 and the comingled foodstuff F could be shaken. Then, as seen in FIG. 4I, the user U may consume the comingled foodstuff F.

In view of the above-described functionality of the heating element 14, it is seen that the first foodstuff 16 is heated H by a portion (i.e., the heating element 14) of the foodstuff packaging 12, 14, 20. In other words, the foodstuff packaging 12, 14, 20 provides a “self-heating” function that avoids the use of a non-packaging, external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven, a gas oven, an electric oven, a stove, fire or the like) for imparting heat to the first foodstuff 16. Furthermore, the arrangement of the heating element 14 in an opposing relationship with respect to the first foodstuff 16 (due to the arrangement of the base portion 22 of the foodstuff container 12 between the heating element 14 and the first foodstuff 16) substantially limits the heat H generated by the heating element 14 to be mostly received by the first foodstuff 16 and not the second foodstuff 18.

Aside from the benefit provided by the “self-heating” functionality of the foodstuff packaging 12, 14, 20 that avoids the use of a non-packaging external heat source to generate heat for melting the first foodstuff 16, use of some external heat sources (e.g., a microwave oven) may damage and/or ruin the second foodstuff 18 when the first foodstuff 16 and the second foodstuff 18 are both contained within foodstuff packaging (such as the foodstuff packaging 12, 14, 20 associated with the assembly 10). For example, should a microwave oven be utilized to impart heat to the first foodstuff 16, the first foodstuff 16 may, as desired, transition from a liquid state to a solid state; however, if the second foodstuff 18 is, for example, a “low moisture” food product, the second foodstuff 18 may undesirably burn (as a result of having very little or no moisture, which may be evaporated upon being heated) when microwave energy is imparted into the second foodstuff 18. Therefore, although some of the heat H generated by the heating element 14 may be imparted into the second foodstuff 18, the heat H from the heating element 14 may merely warm the second foodstuff 18 while also avoiding any damage/burning of the second foodstuff 18, which would otherwise occur if a non-packaging external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven) were to be utilized for heating the first foodstuff 16.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary assembly, which is shown generally at 100. The assembly 100 includes a plurality of members defining foodstuff packaging (see, e.g., reference numerals 112, 114, 120, 150), a first foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 116) and a second foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 118). When the assembly 100 is assembled (see, e.g., FIG. 6G), the first foodstuff 116 may be separated from, and not comingled throughout, the second foodstuff 118. The assembly 100 may be subsequently activated (see, e.g., FIGS. 7B-7C, 8C-8D) by a user U (see, e.g., FIG. 8I) in order to cause a portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 114 a) of the foodstuff packaging 112, 114, 120, 150 to impart heat (see, e.g., reference letter H in FIGS. 8C-8F) to the first foodstuff 116; the heat H imparted to the first foodstuff 116 causes the first foodstuff 116 to phase change (e.g., melt) from a first state (e.g., solid) to a second state (e.g., liquid). With the assistance of gravity, in the second state the first foodstuff 116 vertically seeps or oozes into the second foodstuff 118 such that the first foodstuff 116 is comingled throughout the second foodstuff 118 while the first foodstuff 116 and the second foodstuff 118 are contained within another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 112) of the foodstuff packaging 112, 114, 120, 150 in order to define a comingled foodstuff (see, e.g., reference letter F in FIGS. 7C-7D, 8E-8I) that is contained within the foodstuff packaging 112, 114, 120, 150. The user U may then remove (see, e.g., FIGS. 8G-8I) another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 120) of the foodstuff packaging 112, 114, 120, 150 in order to gain access (see, e.g., FIG. 8H) to the portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 112) of the foodstuff packaging 112, 114, 120, 150 that contains the comingled foodstuff F in order to subsequently consume (see, e.g., FIG. 8I) the comingled foodstuff F.

Referring to FIG. 5, the assembly 100 may include a foodstuff container 112, a heating element 114, a first foodstuff 116, a second foodstuff 118, a closure 120, and a foodstuff separator 150. FIGS. 6A-6G illustrate a methodology for assembling the assembly 100.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the foodstuff container 112 may include a base portion 122 connected to a sidewall portion 124. The base portion 122 may include an inner surface 122 _(I) and an outer surface 122 _(O). The sidewall portion 124 may include an inner surface 124 _(I), an outer surface 124 _(O) and a distal end surface 124 _(D) connects the inner surface 124 _(I) to the outer surface 124 _(O).

The inner surface 122 _(I) of the base portion 122 and the inner surface 124 _(I) of the sidewall portion 124 define a foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112. Access to the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 is formed by an opening 128 defined by the inner surface 124 _(I) of the sidewall portion 124 and the distal end surface 124 _(D) of the sidewall portion 124.

With continued reference to FIGS. 5 and 6A, the heating element 114 may include a first portion 114 a and a second portion 114 b. Referring to FIG. 6A, the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 includes an inner surface 114 a _(I), an outer surface 114 a _(O) and one or more passages 114 a _(P) formed in the outer surface 114 a _(O). The second portion 114 b of the heating element 114 includes an inner surface 114 b _(I) and an outer surface 114 b _(O). The inner surface 114 b _(I) of the second portion 114 b of the heating element 114 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 114 a _(O) of the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114. The inner surface 114 a _(I) of the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 122 _(O) of the base portion 122. The second portion 114 b of the heating element 114 may be a removable film member that is discarded into a trash receptacle T once the inner surface 114 b _(I) of the second portion 114 b of the heating element 114 is selectively-detached from (and no longer disposed adjacent to) the outer surface 114 a _(O) of the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114.

The first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 further defines a cavity 129 that may include a chemically-activated material 130. For example, the chemically-activated material 130 may be disposed within the cavity 129. The chemically-activated material 130 may include an air-activated material, and more particularly, an oxygen-activated material, such as, for example, zinc. When the inner surface 114 b _(I) of the second portion 114 b of the heating element 114 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 114 a _(O) of the first portion 114 a, the second portion 114 b may prevent fluid communication between the cavity 129 and the atmosphere A through the one or more passages 114 a _(P). In particular, when the inner surface 114 b _(I) of the second portion 114 b is disposed adjacent the outer surface 114 a _(O) of the first portion 114 a, the one or more passages 14 a _(P) are prevented from fluidly communicating with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby not permitting oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 114 a _(P) formed in the outer surface 114 a _(O) of the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 130). However, as will be described in the following disclosure at FIGS. 7B-7C, 8C-8D, a user U may selectively activate the chemically-activated material 130 by removing the second portion 114 b of the heating element 114 from the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 in order to permit the oxygen O from the surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 114 a _(P) formed in the outer surface 114 a _(O) of the first portion 114 a and into the cavity 129 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activated material 130. When the oxygen O comes into contact with the chemically-activated material 130, a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activated material 130 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activated material 130 to generate heat.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the first foodstuff 116 (e.g., chocolate, fudge or the like) may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112. In an example, as seen in FIG. 6B, the first foodstuff 116 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112 in a pre-cured, substantially solid state. If the first foodstuff 116 is in a pre-cured, substantially solid state when it is deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112, the first foodstuff 116 may be metered from a first foodstuff hopper H_(C) that may include, for example, a magazine of prefabricated first foodstuff 116 members that are in a pre-cured, substantially solid form.

The first foodstuff 116 may be defined by an upper surface 116 _(I), a lower surface 116 _(O) and a side surface 116 _(S) connecting the upper surface 116 _(I) to the lower surface 116 _(O). The first foodstuff 116 may also be defined by a thickness T₁₁₆ extending between the upper surface 116 _(I) and the lower surface 116 _(O). Furthermore, if the inner surface 124 _(I) of the sidewall portion 124 of the foodstuff container 112 defines the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112 to have a substantially cylindrical shape, the side surface 116 _(S) of the first foodstuff 116 may define the first foodstuff 116 to have a diameter D₁₁₆.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the first foodstuff 116 may be removably attached to or, alternatively, disposed over at least a portion of the inner surface 122 _(I) of the base portion 122 of the foodstuff container 112. In some instances, the first foodstuff 116 may be attached to or disposed over all of the inner surface 122 _(I) of the base portion 122 of the foodstuff container 112 and a portion of the inner surface 124 _(I) of the sidewall portion 124 of the foodstuff container 112 that extends away from the inner surface 122 _(I) of the base portion 122 of the foodstuff container 112.

Referring to FIGS. 6C-6D, after the first foodstuff 116 is deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112, the foodstuff separator 150 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112. The foodstuff separator 150 may include an upper surface 150 _(I), a lower surface 150 _(O) and a side surface 150 _(S) connecting the upper surface 150 _(I) to the lower surface 150 _(O). The foodstuff separator 150 is also defined by a thickness T₁₅₀ extending between the upper surface 150 _(I) and the lower surface 150 _(O). As seen in FIG. 6D, the lower surface 150 _(O) of the foodstuff separator 150 may be disposed adjacent to, or, in a spaced-apart relationship with respect to the upper surface 116 _(I) of the first foodstuff 116.

The side surface 150 _(S) of the foodstuff separator 150 may include a radially-outwardly-extending projection 150 _(S-P). As seen in FIG. 6D′, the radially-outwardly-extending projection 150 _(S-P) may be registered within a recess 124 _(I-R) formed in the inner surface 124 _(I) of the sidewall portion 124 of the foodstuff container 112 for radially connecting the foodstuff separator 150 to the inner surface 124 _(I) of the sidewall portion 124 of the foodstuff container 112. When the foodstuff separator 150 is connected to the inner surface 124 _(I) of the sidewall portion 124 of the foodstuff container 112, the foodstuff separator 150 separates the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112 into a first foodstuff-receiving cavity portion 126 a that is sized for receiving an amount of the first foodstuff 116 and a second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion 126 b that is sized for receiving an amount of the second foodstuff 118.

Once the foodstuff separator 150 is connected to the inner surface 124 _(I) of the sidewall portion 124 of the foodstuff container 112, the foodstuff separator 150 may retain the first foodstuff 116 between the lower surface 150 _(O) of the foodstuff separator 150 and the inner surface 122 _(I) of the base portion 122 of the foodstuff container 112. Furthermore, if the lower surface 150 _(O) of the foodstuff separator 150 is disposed adjacent to the upper surface 116 _(I) of the first foodstuff 116, the foodstuff separator 150 may secure the lower surface 116 _(O) of the first foodstuff 116 adjacent to the inner surface 122 _(I) of the base portion 122 of the foodstuff container 112 in order to promote a transfer of heat H from the heating element 114, through the base portion 122 of the foodstuff container 112 and to the first foodstuff 116.

As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6C-6D, the foodstuff separator 150 also includes a plurality of passages 152 that may extend through the thickness T₁₅₀ of the foodstuff separator 150. As will be described in the following disclosure, when the first foodstuff 116 transitions from a substantially solid state to a substantially liquid state as a result of the application of heat H from the heating element 114 by way of the base portion 122 of the foodstuff container 112, the plurality of passages 152 formed by the foodstuff separator 150 may permit the first foodstuff to seep, ooze or flow-through the plurality of passages 152 formed by the foodstuff separator 150 such that the first foodstuff 116 may flow out of the first foodstuff-receiving cavity portion 126 a and into the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion 126 b.

Referring to FIG. 6E, after the foodstuff separator 150 is connected to the inner surface 124 _(I) of the sidewall portion 124 of the foodstuff container 112, the second foodstuff 118 may be deposited into the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion 126 b of the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112. In an example, as seen in FIG. 6E, the second foodstuff 118 may deposited into the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion 126 b of the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112 from a second foodstuff hopper H_(G). The second foodstuff 118 is contained with the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion 126 b of the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 and arranged upon and over the upper surface 1501 of the foodstuff separator 150 such that that second foodstuff 118 is separated from, and not comingled with, the first foodstuff 116. As seen in FIG. 6E, the second foodstuff hopper H_(G) may meter any desirable amount of the second foodstuff 118 into the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion 126 b of the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126.

Referring to FIG. 6F, the closure 120 includes at least a base portion 132. The base portion 132 includes an inner surface 132 _(I) and an outer surface 132 _(O).

Optionally, the closure 120 may also include a sidewall portion 134 connected to the base portion 132. The sidewall portion 134 includes an inner surface 134 _(I), an outer surface 134 _(O) and a distal end surface 134 _(D) that connects the inner surface 134 _(I) to the outer surface 134 _(O).

The inner surface 132 _(I) of the base portion 132 and the inner surface 134 _(I) of the sidewall portion 134 define a container-receiving cavity 136. Access to the container-receiving cavity 136 is formed by an opening 138 defined by the inner surface 134 _(I) of the sidewall portion 134 and the distal end surface 134 _(D) of the sidewall portion 134.

Referring to FIG. 6F, in some instances, if the closure 120 is not formed with the sidewall portion 134 such that the closure 120 includes only the base portion 132, the inner surface 132 _(I) of the base portion 132 of the closure 120 may be removably attached to the distal end surface 124 _(D) of the sidewall portion 124 of the foodstuff container 112. Attachment of the inner surface 132 _(I) of the base portion 132 of the closure 120 to the distal end surface 124 _(D) of the sidewall portion 124 of the foodstuff container 112 may be conducted in any desirable methodology such as, for example, ultrasonic welding, a friction-fit connection or the like. However, if the closure 120 is formed with and includes the sidewall portion 134, the inner surface 134 _(I) of the sidewall portion 134 of the closure 120 may include a threaded surface (not shown) that cooperates with a corresponding threaded surface (not shown) formed upon a portion of the outer surface 124 _(O) of the sidewall portion 124 of the foodstuff container 112 in order to removably attach the closure 120 to the foodstuff container 112.

Referring to FIGS. 7A-7D and 8A-8I, a method of utilizing the assembly 100 of FIG. 5 is described. Referring to FIGS. 7A and 8A, the outer surface 114 b _(O) of the second portion 114 b of the heating element 114 may be arranged upon a support surface S such that the assembly 100 is arranged in a “right-side-up” orientation upon the support surface S. Then, as seen in FIGS. 7B and 8B, the outer surface 132 _(O) of the base portion 132 of the closure 120 may be arranged upon the support surface S such that the assembly 100 is arranged in an “up-side-down” orientation upon the support surface S.

Referring to FIGS. 7B and 8B, once the assembly 100 is arranged in the “up-side-down” orientation upon the support surface S, the second portion 114 b of the heating element 114, which may be a removable film member, is then selectively-detached from the outer surface 114 a _(O) of the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114. As seen in FIG. 7C, once removed from the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114, the second portion 114 b of the heating element 114 may be discarded into a trash receptacle T.

Referring to FIGS. 7C and 8C-8D, once the second portion 114 b of the heating element 114 is selectively-detached from the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114, the chemically-activated material 130 disposed within the cavity 129 of the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 is selectively activated. Activation of the chemically-activated material 130 contained within the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 occurs when oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to be in fluid communication with the chemically-activated material 130. As described above, when the inner surface 114 b _(I) of the second portion 114 b of the heating element 114 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 114 a _(O) of the first portion 114 a, the one or more passages 114 a _(P) formed in the outer surface 114 a _(O) of the first portion 114 a

t permitted to be in fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby not permitting oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 114 a _(P) formed in the outer surface 114 a _(O) of the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 130). However, once the second portion 114 b of the heating element 114 is removed from the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 as described above, an oxygen barrier formed by the second portion 114 b of the heating element 114 no longer exists, and, as a result, oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to pass through the one or more passages 114 a _(P) formed in the outer surface 114 a _(O) of the first portion 114 a such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activated material 130. When the oxygen O comes into contact with the chemically-activated material 130, a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activated material 130 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activated material 130 to generate heat H (see, e.g., FIG. 8C).

Referring to FIGS. 7D and 8D-8F, the heat H generated by the chemically-activated material 130 of the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 is passed through the base portion 122 of the foodstuff container 112 such that the heat H is ultimately imparted into and absorbed by the first foodstuff 116. Comparatively, as seen in FIGS. 8C-8F, the heat H causes the first foodstuff 116 to transition from a substantially solid state (see, e.g., FIG. 8C) to a melted, substantially liquid state (see, e.g., FIGS. 8D-8F). As seen in FIGS. 8D-8F, as the first foodstuff 116 transitions to a melted, substantially liquid form, the first foodstuff 116, with the assistance of gravity, detaches from one or more of the inner surface 122 _(I) of the base portion 122 of the foodstuff container 112 and the inner surface 124 _(I) of the sidewall portion 124 of the foodstuff container 112 such that the first foodstuff 116 vertically flows through the plurality of passages 152 formed by the foodstuff separator 150. In so doing, the first foodstuff 116 may flow out of the first foodstuff-receiving cavity portion 126 a and into the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion 126 b such that the first foodstuff 116 seeps or oozes downwardly and into the second foodstuff 118. The first foodstuff 116 is comingled throughout the second foodstuff 118 to define a comingled foodstuff F that is contained within foodstuff container 112.

Referring to FIGS. 8F-8G, the container 112, the heating element 114 and the closure 120 is then returned to the “right-side-up” orientation upon the support surface S such that the outer surface 114 a _(O) of the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 is arranged upon the support surface S. Then, as seen in FIGS. 8G-8H, the closure 120 may be selectively-removed from the foodstuff container 112 such that a user U (see, e.g., FIG. 8I) may access the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112 that contains the comingled foodstuff F. If desired, as seen in FIG. 8H, the user U may arrange a utensil (e.g., a spoon SP) within the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112 for mixing or stirring the comingled foodstuff F. Alternatively, the closure 120 could remain attached to the foodstuff container 112 and the comingled foodstuff F could be shaken. Then, as seen in FIG. 8I, the user U may consume the comingled foodstuff F.

In view of the above-described functionality of the heating element 114, it is seen that the first foodstuff 116 is heated H by a portion (i.e., the heating element 114) of the foodstuff packaging 112, 114, 120, 150. In other words, the foodstuff packaging 112, 114, 120, 150 provides a “self-heating” function that avoids the use of a non-packaging, external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven, a gas oven, an electric oven, a stove, fire or the like) for imparting heat to the first foodstuff 116. Furthermore, the arrangement of the heating element 114 in an opposing relationship with respect to the first foodstuff 116 (due to the arrangement of the base portion 122 of the foodstuff container 112 between the heating element 114 and the first foodstuff 116) substantially limits the heat H generated by the heating element 114 to be mostly received by the first foodstuff 116 and not the second foodstuff 118.

Aside from the benefit provided by the “self-heating” functionality of the foodstuff packaging 112, 114, 120, 150 that avoids the use of a non-packaging external heat source to generate heat for melting the first foodstuff 116, use of some external heat sources (e.g., a microwave oven) may damage and/or ruin the second foodstuff 118 when the first foodstuff 116 and the second foodstuff 118 are both contained within foodstuff packaging (such as the foodstuff packaging 112, 114, 120, 150 associated with the assembly 100). For example, should a microwave oven be utilized to impart heat to the first foodstuff 116, the first foodstuff 116 may, as desired, transition from a liquid state to a solid state; however, if the second foodstuff 118 is an exemplary “low moisture” food product, the second foodstuff 118 may undesirably burn (as a result of having very little or no moisture, which may be evaporated upon being heated) when microwave energy is imparted into the second foodstuff 118. Therefore, although some of the heat H generated by the heating element 114 may be imparted into the second foodstuff 118, the heat H from the heating element 114 may merely warm the second foodstuff 118 while also avoiding any damage/burning of the second foodstuff 118, which would otherwise occur if a non-packaging external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven) were to be utilized for heating the first foodstuff 116.

With reference to FIG. 9, an assembly 200 is shown. The assembly 200 includes a plurality of members defining foodstuff packaging (see, e.g., reference numerals 212, 214, 220), a first foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 216) and a second foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 218). When the assembly 200 is assembled (see, e.g., FIG. 10F), the first foodstuff 216 may be separated from, and not comingled throughout, the second foodstuff 218. The assembly 200 may be subsequently activated (see, e.g., FIGS. 11B-11C, 12C-12D) by a user U (see, e.g., FIG. 12I) in order to cause a portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 212) of the foodstuff packaging 212, 214, 220 to impart heat (see, e.g., reference letter H in FIGS. 12C-12F) to the first foodstuff 216; the heat H imparted to the first foodstuff 216 may cause the first foodstuff 216 to transition or phase change (e.g., melt) from a first state (e.g., solid) to a second state (e.g., liquid). With the assistance of gravity, in the second state the first foodstuff 216 may seep or ooze into the second foodstuff 218 such that the first foodstuff 216 is comingled throughout the second foodstuff 218 while the first foodstuff 216 and the second foodstuff 218 are contained within another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 212) of the foodstuff packaging 212, 214, 220 in order to define a comingled foodstuff (see, e.g., reference letter F in FIGS. 11C-11D, 12E-12I) that is contained within the foodstuff packaging 212, 214, 220. The user U may then remove (see, e.g., FIGS. 12G-12H) another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 220) of the foodstuff packaging 212, 214, 220 in order to gain access (see, e.g., FIG. 12H) to the portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 212) of the foodstuff packaging 212, 214, 220 that contains the comingled foodstuff F in order to subsequently consume (see, e.g., FIG. 12I) the comingled foodstuff F.

Referring to FIG. 9, the assembly 200 may include a foodstuff container 212, a heating element 214, a first foodstuff 216, a second foodstuff 218, and a closure 220. FIGS. 10A-10F illustrate a first methodology for assembling the assembly 200.

Referring to FIG. 10A, the foodstuff container 212 may include a base portion 222 connected to a sidewall portion 224. The base portion 222 includes an inner surface 222 _(I) and an outer surface 222 _(O). The sidewall portion 224 includes an inner surface 224 _(I), an outer surface 224 _(O), and a distal end surface 224 _(D) that connects the inner surface 224 _(I) to the outer surface 224 _(O). Furthermore, a portion 224 _(L-P) of a length 224 _(L) of the sidewall portion 224 may extend beyond the outer surface 222 _(O) of the base portion 222 thereby defining a cavity 229.

The inner surface 222 _(I) of the base portion 222 and the inner surface 224 _(I) of the sidewall portion 224 define a foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 of the foodstuff container 212. Access to the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 is formed by an opening 228 defined by the inner surface 224 _(I) of the sidewall portion 224 and the distal end surface 224 _(D) of the sidewall portion 224.

With continued reference to FIGS. 9 and 10A, the heating element 214 includes a first portion 214 a and a second portion 214 b. Referring to FIG. 10A, the first portion 214 a of the heating element 214 is defined by the cavity 229 formed by the foodstuff container 212 and a chemically-activated material 230 disposed therein. The foodstuff container 212 may further include a heating element retainer portion 225 connected to and extending from the portion 224 _(L-P) of the length 224 _(L) of the sidewall portion 224 that extends beyond the outer surface 222 _(O) of the base portion 222. The heating element retainer portion 225 therefore may contribute to the formation of the first portion 214 a of the heating element 214 whereby the heating element retainer portion 225 includes an inner surface 2251, an outer surface 225 _(O). One or more passages 225 _(P) may extend through the heating element retainer portion 225 from the outer surface 225 _(O) to the inner surface 225 _(I). The second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 includes an inner surface 214 b _(I) and an outer surface 214 b _(O). The inner surface 214 b _(I) of the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 225 _(O) of the heating element retainer portion 225. The second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 may be a removable film member that is discarded into a trash receptacle T once the inner surface 214 b _(I) of the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 is selectively-detached from (and no longer disposed adjacent to) the outer surface 225 _(O) of the heating element retainer portion 225.

The chemically-activated material 230 may include an air-activated material, and more particularly, an oxygen-activated material, such as, for example, zinc. When the inner surface 214 b _(I) of the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 225 _(O) of the heating element retainer portion 225, the second portion 214 b may prevent fluid communication between the cavity 229 and the atmosphere A through the one or more passages 225 _(P) extending through the heating element retainer portion 225. In particular, when the inner surface 214 b _(I) of the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 225 _(O) of the heating element retainer portion 225, the one or more passages 225 _(P) may be prevented from fluidly communicating with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby preventing oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 225 _(P) for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 230). However, as will be described in the following disclosure at FIGS. 11B-11C, 12C-12D, a user U may selectively activate the chemically-activated material 230 by removing the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 from the first portion 214 a of the heating element 214 in order to permit the oxygen O from the surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 225 _(P) and into the cavity 229 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activated material 230. When the oxygen O comes into contact with the chemically-activated material 230, a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activated material 230 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activated material 230 to generate heat.

Referring to FIG. 10B, the first foodstuff 216 (e.g., chocolate, fudge or the like) may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 of the foodstuff container 212. In an example, as seen in FIG. 10B, the first foodstuff 216 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 of the foodstuff container 212 in a liquid state or a solid state. If the first foodstuff 216 is in liquid state when it is deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 of the foodstuff container 212, the first foodstuff 216 may be extruded into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 of the foodstuff container 212 from an extruder or first foodstuff hopper H_(C).

Referring to FIG. 10C, after a predetermined period of time, the first foodstuff 216 may be permitted to cure in order to permit the first foodstuff 216 to transition from a liquid state to a solid state. In an example, when the first foodstuff 216 is cured into a solid state, the first foodstuff 216 may stick to but may also be removably attached to at least a portion of the inner surface 222 _(I) of the base portion 222 of the foodstuff container 212. In some instances, when the first foodstuff 216 is cured into a solid state, the first foodstuff 216 may be attached to or disposed over (i) all of the inner surface 222 _(I) of the base portion 222 of the foodstuff container 212 and (ii) a portion of the inner surface 224 _(I) of the sidewall portion 224 of the foodstuff container 212 that extends away from the inner surface 222 _(I) of the base portion 222.

As seen in FIG. 10C, when the first foodstuff 216 has cured into a solid state, the first foodstuff 216 may be defined by an upper surface 216 _(I), a lower surface 216 _(O) and a side surface 216 _(S) connecting the upper surface 216 _(I) to the lower surface 216 _(O). The first foodstuff 216 may also be defined by a thickness T₂₁₆ extending between the upper surface 216 _(I) and the lower surface 216 _(O). Furthermore, if the inner surface 224 _(I) of the sidewall portion 224 of the foodstuff container 212 defines the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 of the foodstuff container 212 to have a substantially cylindrical shape, the side surface 216 _(S) of the first foodstuff 216 may define the first foodstuff 216 to have a diameter D216.

Referring to FIG. 10D, after the first foodstuff 216 has cured into a solid state, the second foodstuff 218 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 of the foodstuff container 212. The second foodstuff material 218 may include one or more of, but is not limited to: granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts, cereal or the like. Although the second foodstuff 218 is shown to include a plurality of pieces or units of foodstuff, the second foodstuff 218 may include one piece or one unit of foodstuff that is deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226.

In an example, as seen in FIG. 10D, the second foodstuff 218 may deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 of the foodstuff container 212 from a second foodstuff hopper H_(G). The second foodstuff 218 may be contained with the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 and arranged upon and over the upper surface 216 _(I) of the first foodstuff 216 such that that second foodstuff 218 is separated from, and not comingled or mixed with, the first foodstuff 216.

As seen in FIG. 10E, the second foodstuff hopper H_(G) may meter any desirable amount of the second foodstuff 218 into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226. In some instances, the second foodstuff hopper H_(G) may meter an amount of the second foodstuff 218 that is approximately equal to a remainder of a volume of the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 that is not occupied by the first foodstuff 216.

Referring to FIG. 10E, the closure 220 includes at least a base portion 232. The base portion 232 includes an inner surface 232 _(I) and an outer surface 232 _(O).

Optionally, the closure 220 may also include a sidewall portion 234 connected to the base portion 232. The sidewall portion 234 includes an inner surface 234 _(I), an outer surface 234 _(O), and a distal end surface 234 _(D) connecting the inner surface 234 _(I) to the outer surface 234 _(O).

The inner surface 232 _(I) of the base portion 232 and the inner surface 234 _(I) of the sidewall portion 234 define a container-receiving cavity 236. Access to the container-receiving cavity 236 is formed by an opening 238 defined by the inner surface 234 _(I) of the sidewall portion 234 and the distal end surface 234 _(D) of the sidewall portion 234.

Referring to FIG. 10F, in some instances, if the closure 220 is not formed with the sidewall portion 234 such that the closure 220 includes only the base portion 232, the inner surface 232 _(I) of the base portion 232 of the closure 220 may be removably attached to the distal end surface 224 _(D) of the sidewall portion 224 of the foodstuff container 212. Attachment of the inner surface 232 _(I) of the base portion 232 of the closure 220 to the distal end surface 224 _(D) of the sidewall portion 224 of the foodstuff container 212 may be conducted in any desirable methodology such as, for example, ultrasonic welding, a friction-fit connection or the like. However, if the closure 220 is formed with and includes the sidewall portion 234, the inner surface 234 _(I) of the sidewall portion 234 of the closure 220 may include a threaded surface (not shown) that cooperates with a corresponding threaded surface (not shown) formed upon a portion of the outer surface 224 _(O) of the sidewall portion 224 of the foodstuff container 212 in order to removably attach the closure 220 to the foodstuff container 212.

In a substantially similar as described above at FIGS. 2A′-2E′, an alternative methodology for assembling the assembly 200 may include depositing pre-cured (rather than in liquid form as described above at FIG. 10B) the first foodstuff 16 (e.g., chocolate, fudge or the like) into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 of the foodstuff container 212. If the first foodstuff 216 is in a pre-cured, substantially solid form when it is deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12, the first foodstuff 16 may be metered from a first foodstuff hopper H_(C) (see, e.g., FIG. 2W) that may include, for example, a magazine of prefabricated first foodstuff 216 members that are in a pre-cured, substantially solid form.

Referring to FIGS. 11A-11D and 12A-12I, a method of utilizing the assembly 200 of FIG. 9 is described. Referring to FIGS. 11A and 12A, the outer surface 214 b _(O) of the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 may be first optionally arranged upon a support surface S such that the assembly 200 is arranged in a “right-side-up” orientation upon the support surface S. Then, as seen in FIGS. 11B and 12B, the outer surface 232 _(O) of the base portion 232 of the closure 220 may be arranged upon the support surface S such that the assembly 200 is arranged in an “up-side-down” orientation upon the support surface S.

Referring to FIGS. 11B and 12B, once the assembly 200 is arranged in the “up-side-down” orientation upon the support surface S, the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214, which may be a removable film member, is then selectively-detached from the outer surface 225 _(O) of the heating element retainer portion 225. As seen in FIG. 11C, once removed from the first portion 214 a of the heating element 214, the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 may be discarded into a trash receptacle T.

Referring to FIGS. 11C and 12C-12D, once the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 is selectively-detached from the first portion 214 a of the heating element 214, the chemically-activated material 230 contained within the cavity 229 of the first portion 214 a of the heating element 214 is selectively activated. Activation of the chemically-activated material 230 contained within the first portion 214 a of the heating element 214 occurs when oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to be in fluid communication with the chemically-activated material 230. As described above, when the inner surface 214 b _(I) of the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 225 _(O) of the heating element retainer portion 225, the one or more passages 225 _(P) of the heating element retainer portion 225 are not permitted to be in fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby not permitting oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 225 _(P) of the heating element retainer portion 225 for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 230). However, once the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 is removed from the first portion 214 a of the heating element 214 as described above, an oxygen barrier formed by the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 no longer exists, and, as a result, oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to pass through the one or more passages 225 _(P) of the heating element retainer portion 225 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activated material 230. When the oxygen O comes into contact with the chemically-activated material 230, a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activated material 230 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activated material 230 to generate heat H (see, e.g., FIG. 12C).

Referring to FIGS. 11D and 12D-12F, the heat H generated by the chemically-activated material 230 of the first portion 214 a of the heating element 214 is passed through the base portion 222 of the foodstuff container 212 such that the heat H is ultimately imparted into and absorbed by the first foodstuff 216. Comparatively, as seen in FIGS. 12C-12F, the heat H causes the first foodstuff 216 to transition from a substantially solid state (see, e.g., FIG. 12C) to a melted, substantially liquid state (see, e.g., FIGS. 12D-12F). As seen in FIGS. 12D-12F, as the first foodstuff 216 transitions to a melted, substantially liquid form, the first foodstuff 216, with the assistance of gravity, detaches from one or more of the inner surface 222 _(I) of the base portion 222 of the foodstuff container 212 and the inner surface 224 _(I) of the sidewall portion 224 of the foodstuff container 212 such that the first foodstuff 216 vertically seeps or oozes downwardly and into the second foodstuff 218 such that the first foodstuff 216 is comingled throughout the second foodstuff 218 to define a comingled foodstuff F that is contained within foodstuff container 212.

Referring to FIGS. 12F-12G, the container 212, the heating element 214 and the closure 220 is then returned to the “right-side-up” orientation upon the support surface S that that the outer surface 225 _(O) of the heating element retainer portion 225 is arranged upon the support surface S. Then, as seen in FIGS. 12G-12H, the closure 220 may be selectively-removed from the foodstuff container 212 such that a user U (see, e.g., FIG. 12I) may access the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 of the foodstuff container 212 that contains the comingled foodstuff F. If desired, as seen in FIG. 12H, the user U may arrange a utensil (e.g., a spoon SP) within the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 of the foodstuff container 212 for mixing or stirring the comingled foodstuff F. Alternatively, the closure 220 could remain attached to the foodstuff container 212 and the comingled foodstuff F could be shaken. Then, as seen in FIG. 12I, the user U may consume the comingled foodstuff F.

In view of the above-described functionality of the heating element 214, it is seen that the first foodstuff 216 is heated H by a portion (i.e., the heating element 214) of the foodstuff packaging 212, 214, 220. In other words, the foodstuff packaging 212, 214, 220 provides a “self-heating” function that avoids the use of a non-packaging, external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven, a gas oven, an electric oven, a stove, fire or the like) for imparting heat to the first foodstuff 216. Furthermore, the arrangement of the heating element 214 in an opposing relationship with respect to the first foodstuff 216 (due to the arrangement of the base portion 222 of the foodstuff container 212 between the chemically-activated material 230 of the heating element 214 and the first foodstuff 216) substantially limits the heat H generated by the heating element 214 to be mostly received by the first foodstuff 216 and not the second foodstuff 218.

Aside from the benefit provided by the “self-heating” functionality of the foodstuff packaging 212, 214, 220 that avoids the use of a non-packaging external heat source to generate heat for melting the first foodstuff 216, use of some external heat sources (e.g., a microwave oven) may damage and/or ruin the second foodstuff 218 when the first foodstuff 216 and the second foodstuff 218 are both contained within foodstuff packaging (such as the foodstuff packaging 212, 214, 220 associated with the assembly 200). For example, should a microwave oven be utilized to impart heat to the first foodstuff 216, the first foodstuff 216 may, as desired, transition from a liquid state to a solid state; however, if the second foodstuff 218 is, for example, a “low moisture” food product, the second foodstuff 218 may undesirably burn (as a result of having very little or no moisture, which may be evaporated upon being heated) when microwave energy is imparted into the second foodstuff 218. Therefore, although some of the heat H generated by the heating element 214 may be imparted into the second foodstuff 218, the heat H from the heating element 214 may merely warm the second foodstuff 218 while also avoiding any damage/burning of the second foodstuff 218, which would otherwise occur if a non-packaging external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven) were to be utilized for heating the first foodstuff 216.

With reference to FIG. 13, an assembly 300 is shown. The assembly 300 includes a plurality of members defining foodstuff packaging (see, e.g., reference numerals 312, 314, 320), a first foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 316 at, e.g., FIG. 14C) and a second foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 318). When the assembly 300 is assembled (see, e.g., FIG. 14D), the first foodstuff 316 may be separated from, and not comingled throughout, the second foodstuff 318. The assembly 300 may be subsequently activated (see, e.g., FIGS. 15B-15C, 16B-16C) by a user U (see, e.g., FIG. 16G) in order to cause a portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 320) of the foodstuff packaging 312, 314, 320 to impart heat (see, e.g., reference letter H in FIGS. 16B-16D) to the first foodstuff 316; the heat H imparted to the first foodstuff 316 may cause the first foodstuff 316 to transition or phase change (e.g., melt) from a first state (e.g., solid) to a second state (e.g., liquid). With the assistance of gravity, in the second state the first foodstuff 316 may seep or ooze into the second foodstuff 318 such that the first foodstuff 316 is comingled throughout the second foodstuff 318 while the first foodstuff 316 and the second foodstuff 318 are contained within another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 312) of the foodstuff packaging 312, 314, 320 in order to define a comingled foodstuff (see, e.g., reference letter F in FIGS. 15C-15D, 16D-16G) that is contained within the foodstuff packaging 312, 314, 320. The user U may then remove (see, e.g., FIGS. 16E-16F) another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 320) of the foodstuff packaging 312, 314, 320 in order to gain access (see, e.g., FIG. 16F) to the portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 312) of the foodstuff packaging 312, 314, 320 that contains the comingled foodstuff F in order to subsequently consume (see, e.g., FIG. 16G) the comingled foodstuff F.

Referring to FIG. 13, the assembly 300 may include a foodstuff container 312, a heating element 314, a first foodstuff 316 (see FIG. 14C), a second foodstuff 318, and a closure 320. FIGS. 14A-14D illustrate a first methodology for assembling the assembly 300.

Referring to FIG. 14A, the foodstuff container 312 may include a base portion 322 connected to a sidewall portion 324. The base portion 322 includes an inner surface 322 _(I) and an outer surface 322 _(O). The sidewall portion 324 includes an inner surface 324 _(I), an outer surface 324 _(O), and a distal end surface 324 _(D) that connects the inner surface 324 _(I) to the outer surface 324 _(O). In some instances, the distal end surface 324 _(D) of the sidewall portion 324 of the foodstuff container 312 may project radially inwardly beyond the inner surface 324 _(I) of the sidewall portion 324 of the foodstuff container 312 thereby forming closure-supporting-ledge 323.

The inner surface 322 _(I) of the base portion 322 and the inner surface 324 _(I) of the sidewall portion 324 define a foodstuff-receiving cavity 326 of the foodstuff container 312. Access to the foodstuff-receiving cavity 326 is formed by an opening 328 defined by the inner surface 324 _(I) of the sidewall portion 324 and the distal end surface 324 _(D) of the sidewall portion 324.

In an example, as seen in FIG. 14B, the second foodstuff 318 may deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 326 of the foodstuff container 312 from a foodstuff hopper H_(G). The second foodstuff 318 may be contained with the foodstuff-receiving cavity 326 and arranged upon and over the inner surface 322 _(I) of the base portion 322 of the foodstuff container 312. As will be explained in the following disclosure, prior to activating the heating element 314, the first foodstuff 316 is contained within the closure 320, and, therefore, as seen in FIGS. 14C-14D, the second foodstuff 318 is initially separated from, and not comingled or mixed with, the first foodstuff 316.

As seen in FIG. 14B, the foodstuff hopper H_(G) may meter any desirable amount of the second foodstuff 318 into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 326. In some instances, the foodstuff hopper H_(G) may meter an amount of the second foodstuff 318 that is approximately equal to a volume of the foodstuff-receiving cavity 326 less a volume of the first foodstuff 316 that is contained within the closure 320 prior to activating the heating element 314. The second foodstuff material 318 may include one or more of, but is not limited to: granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts, cereal or the like. Although the second foodstuff 318 is shown to include a plurality of pieces or units of foodstuff, the second foodstuff 318 may include one piece or one unit of foodstuff that is deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 326.

Referring to FIG. 14C, an exemplary view of the closure 320 is shown. The closure 320 includes a first cavity 329 a and a second cavity 329 b. The first cavity 329 a of the closure 320 is defined by a heating element retainer portion 325, a base portion 332 and a sidewall portion 334. The second cavity 329 b of the closure 320 is defined by a first foodstuff retainer portion 327, the base portion 332 and the sidewall portion 334. A chemically-activated material 330 is disposed within the first cavity 329 a, and the first foodstuff 316 is disposed within the second cavity 329 b. As will be described in the following disclosure, the heating element retainer portion 325 and the chemically-activated material 330 contributes to the formation of a first portion 314 a of the heating element 314.

The sidewall portion 334 is connected to each of the heating element retainer portion 325, the first foodstuff retainer portion 327 and the base portion 332. The sidewall portion 334 includes an inner surface 334 _(I), an outer surface 334 _(O), an upper end portion 334 _(U), a lower end portion 334 _(L) and an intermediate portion 334 _(M).

The heating element retainer portion 325 includes an inner surface 3251 and an outer surface 325 _(O). The heating element retainer portion 325 is connected to and extends from the upper end portion 334 _(U) of the sidewall portion 334. One or more passages 325 _(P) may extend through the heating element retainer portion 325 from the outer surface 325 _(O) to the inner surface 3251.

The base portion 332 includes an upper surface 332 _(U) and a lower surface 332 _(L). The base portion 332 is connected to and extends from the inner surface 334 _(I) of the sidewall portion 334 proximate the intermediate portion 334 _(M) of the sidewall portion 334.

The first foodstuff retainer portion 327 includes an inner surface 327 _(I) and an outer surface 327 _(O). The first foodstuff retainer portion 327 is connected to and extends from the lower end portion 334 _(L) of the sidewall portion 334. One or more passages 327 _(P) may extend through the first foodstuff retainer portion 327 from the outer surface 327 _(O) to the inner surface 327 _(I).

The inner surface 334 _(I) of the sidewall portion 334, the inner surface 325 _(I) of the heating element retainer portion 325 and the upper surface 332 _(U) of the base portion 332 defines the first cavity 329 a that contains the chemically-activated material 330. The inner surface 334 _(I) of the sidewall portion 334, the inner surface 327 _(I) of the first foodstuff retainer portion 327 and the lower surface 332 _(L) of the base portion 332 defines the second cavity 329 a that contains the first foodstuff 316.

The closure 320 may include an outwardly-extending projection 331 that extends away from the outer surface 3340 of the sidewall portion 334. The outwardly-extending projection 331 may include an upper surface 331 _(U) and a lower surface 331 _(L). Referring to FIG. 14D, the lower surface 331 _(L) of the outwardly-extending projection 331 is disposed adjacent the distal end surface 324 _(D) of the sidewall portion 334 of the foodstuff container 312 that forms closure-supporting-ledge 323. Attachment of the outwardly-extending projection 331 of the closure 320 to the closure-supporting-ledge 323 of the foodstuff container 312 may be conducted in any desirable methodology such as, for example, ultrasonic welding, an adhesive connection or the like. In other examples, a portion of the outwardly-extending projection 331 of the closure 320 may be formed with the closure-supporting-ledge 323 of the foodstuff container 312 to thereby form a hinged lid connection of the closure 320 and the foodstuff container 312.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14C-14D, the second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 is shown. The second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 includes an inner surface 314 b _(I) and an outer surface 314 b _(O). As seen in FIGS. 14C-14D, the inner surface 314 b _(I) of the second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 3250 of the heating element retainer 325. The second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 may be a removable film member that is discarded into a trash receptacle T once the inner surface 314 b _(I) of the second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 is selectively-detached from (and no longer disposed adjacent to) the outer surface 325 _(O) of the heating element retainer 325.

The chemically-activated material 330 may include an air-activated material, and more particularly, an oxygen-activated material, such as, for example, zinc. When the inner surface 314 b _(I) of the second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 325 _(O) of the heating element retainer 325, the second portion 314 b may prevent fluid communication between the cavity 329 and the atmosphere A through the one or more passages 325 _(P) extending through the heating element retainer 325. In particular, when the inner surface 314 b _(I) of the second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 325 _(O) of the heating element retainer 325, the one or more passages 325 _(P) may be prevented from fluidly communicating with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby preventing oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 325 _(P) for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 330). However, as will be described in the following disclosure at FIGS. 15B-15C, 16B-16C, a user U may selectively activate the chemically-activated material 330 by removing the second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 from the first portion 314 a of the heating element 314 in order to permit the oxygen O from the surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 325 _(P) and into the cavity 329 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activated material 330. When the oxygen O comes into contact with the chemically-activated material 330, a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activated material 330 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activated material 330 to generate heat.

Referring to FIGS. 15A-15D and 16A-16G, a method of utilizing the assembly 300 of FIG. 13 is described. Referring to FIGS. 15A-15B and 16A-16B, the second portion 314 b of the heating element 314, which may be a removable film member, is then selectively-detached from the outer surface 325 _(O) of the heating element retainer 325. As seen in FIG. 15C, once removed from the first portion 314 a of the heating element 314, the second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 may be discarded into a trash receptacle T.

Referring to FIGS. 15B-15D and 16B-16D, once the second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 is selectively-detached from the first portion 314 a of the heating element 314, the chemically-activated material 330 contained within the cavity 329 of the first portion 314 a of the heating element 314 is selectively activated. Activation of the chemically-activated material 330 contained within the first portion 314 a of the heating element 314 occurs when oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to be in fluid communication with the chemically-activated material 330. As described above, when the inner surface 314 b _(I) of the second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 325 _(O) of the heating element retainer 325, the one or more passages 325 _(P) of the heating element retainer 325 are not permitted to be in fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby not permitting oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 325 _(P) of the heating element retainer 325 for subsequently contacting the oxygen-activated material 330). However, once the second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 is removed from the first portion 314 a of the heating element 314 as described above, an oxygen barrier formed by the second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 no longer exists, and, as a result, oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to pass through the one or more passages 325 _(P) of the heating element retainer 325 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activated material 330. When the oxygen O comes into contact with the chemically-activated material 330, a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activated material 330 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activated material 330 to generate heat H (see, e.g., FIGS. 16B-16D).

Referring to FIGS. 15B-15D and 16B-16D, the heat H generated by the chemically-activated material 330 of the first portion 314 a of the heating element 314 is passed through the base portion 332 of the closure 320 such that the heat H is ultimately imparted into and absorbed by the first foodstuff 316. Comparatively, as seen in FIGS. 16B-16D, the heat H causes the first foodstuff 316 to transition from a substantially solid state (see, e.g., FIG. 16B) to a melted, substantially liquid state (see, e.g., FIGS. 16C-16D). As seen in FIGS. 16C-16E, as the first foodstuff 316 transitions to a melted, substantially liquid form, the first foodstuff 316, with the assistance of gravity, vertically seeps or oozes downwardly through the one or more passages 327 _(P) of the first foodstuff retainer portion 327 and into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 326 of the foodstuff container 312 that contains the second foodstuff 318 such that the first foodstuff 316 is comingled throughout the second foodstuff 318 to define a comingled foodstuff F that is contained within foodstuff container 312.

Then, as seen in FIGS. 16E-16F, once a user U (see, e.g., FIG. 16G) has determined that most/all (or a desired amount) of the first foodstuff 316 has been evacuated from the closure 320, the user U may selectively-remove (or, alternatively, pivot away if the closure 320 is partially attached in a hinged configuration) the closure 320 from the foodstuff container 312 such that the user U may access the foodstuff-receiving cavity 326 of the foodstuff container 312 that contains the comingled foodstuff F. If desired, as seen in FIG. 16F, the user U may arrange a utensil (e.g., a spoon SP) within the foodstuff-receiving cavity 326 of the foodstuff container 312 for mixing or stirring the comingled foodstuff F. Alternatively, the closure 320 could remain attached to the foodstuff container 312 and the comingled foodstuff F could be shaken. Then, as seen in FIG. 16G, the user U may consume the comingled foodstuff F.

In view of the above-described functionality of the heating element 314, it is seen that the first foodstuff 316 is heated H by a portion (i.e., the heating element 314) of the foodstuff packaging 312, 314, 320. In other words, the foodstuff packaging 312, 314, 320 provides a “self-heating” function that avoids the use of a non-packaging, external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven, a gas oven, an electric oven, a stove, fire or the like) for imparting heat to the first foodstuff 316. Furthermore, the arrangement of the heating element 314 in an opposing relationship with respect to the first foodstuff 316 (due to the arrangement of both of the chemically-activated material 230 of the heating element 214 and the first foodstuff 216 being contained within exclusive cavities 329 a, 329 b that are separated by the base portion 332 of the closure 320) substantially limits the heat H generated by the heating element 314 to be mostly received by the first foodstuff 316 and not the second foodstuff 318.

Aside from the benefit provided by the “self-heating” functionality of the foodstuff packaging 312, 314, 320 that avoids the use of a non-packaging external heat source to generate heat for melting the first foodstuff 316, use of some external heat sources (e.g., a microwave oven) may damage and/or ruin the second foodstuff 318 when the first foodstuff 316 and the second foodstuff 318 are both contained within foodstuff packaging (such as the foodstuff packaging 312, 314, 320 associated with the assembly 300). For example, should a microwave oven be utilized to impart heat to the first foodstuff 316, the first foodstuff 316 may, as desired, transition from a liquid state to a solid state; however, if the second foodstuff 318 is, for example, a “low moisture” food product, the second foodstuff 318 may undesirably burn (as a result of having very little or no moisture, which may be evaporated upon being heated) when microwave energy is imparted into the second foodstuff 318. Therefore, although some of the heat H generated by the heating element 314 may be imparted into the second foodstuff 318, the heat H from the heating element 314 may merely warm the second foodstuff 318 while also avoiding any damage/burning of the second foodstuff 318, which would otherwise occur if a non-packaging external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven) were to be utilized for heating the first foodstuff 316.

With reference to FIG. 17, an assembly 400 is shown. The assembly 400 includes a plurality of members defining foodstuff packaging (see, e.g., reference numerals 412, 414, 420), a first foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 416 at, e.g., FIG. 18C) and a second foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 418). When the assembly 400 is assembled (see, e.g., FIG. 18D), the first foodstuff 416 may be separated from, and not comingled throughout, the second foodstuff 418. The assembly 400 may be subsequently activated (see, e.g., FIGS. 19B-19C, 20B-20C) by a user U (see, e.g., FIG. 20G) in order to cause a portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 420) of the foodstuff packaging 412, 414, 420 to impart heat (see, e.g., reference letter H in FIGS. 20B-20D) to the first foodstuff 416; the heat H imparted to the first foodstuff 416 may cause the first foodstuff 416 to transition or phase change (e.g., melt) from a first state (e.g., solid) to a second state (e.g., liquid). With the assistance of gravity, in the second state the first foodstuff 416 may seep or ooze into the second foodstuff 418 such that the first foodstuff 416 is comingled throughout the second foodstuff 418 while the first foodstuff 416 and the second foodstuff 418 are contained within another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 412) of the foodstuff packaging 412, 414, 420 in order to define a comingled foodstuff (see, e.g., reference letter F in FIGS. 19C-19D, 20D-20G) that is contained within the foodstuff packaging 412, 414, 420. The user U may then remove (see, e.g., FIGS. 20E-20F) another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 420) of the foodstuff packaging 412, 414, 420 in order to gain access (see, e.g., FIG. 20F) to the portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 412) of the foodstuff packaging 412, 414, 420 that contains the comingled foodstuff F in order to subsequently consume (see, e.g., FIG. 20G) the comingled foodstuff F.

Referring to FIG. 17, the assembly 400 may include a foodstuff container 412, a heating element 414, a first foodstuff 416, a second foodstuff 418, and a closure 420. FIGS. 18A-18D illustrate a first methodology for assembling the assembly 400.

Referring to FIG. 18A, the foodstuff container 412 may include a base portion 422 connected to a sidewall portion 424. The base portion 422 includes an inner surface 422 _(I) and an outer surface 422 _(O). The sidewall portion 424 includes an inner surface 424 _(I), an outer surface 424 _(O), and a distal end surface 424 _(D) that connects the inner surface 424, to the outer surface 424 _(O).

The inner surface 422 _(I) of the base portion 422 and the inner surface 424, of the sidewall portion 424 define a foodstuff-receiving cavity 426 of the foodstuff container 412. Access to the foodstuff-receiving cavity 426 is formed by an opening 428 defined by the inner surface 424, of the sidewall portion 424 and the distal end surface 424 _(D) of the sidewall portion 424.

In an example, as seen in FIG. 18B, the second foodstuff 418 may deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 426 of the foodstuff container 412 from a foodstuff hopper H_(G). The second foodstuff 418 may be contained with the foodstuff-receiving cavity 426 and arranged upon and over the inner surface 422 _(I) of the base portion 422 of the foodstuff container 412. As will be explained in the following disclosure, prior to activating the heating element 414, the first foodstuff 416 is contained within the closure 420, and, therefore, as seen in FIGS. 18C-18D, the second foodstuff 418 is initially separated from, and not comingled or mixed with, the first foodstuff 416.

As seen in FIG. 18B, the foodstuff hopper H_(G) may meter any desirable amount of the second foodstuff 418 into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 426. In some instances, the foodstuff hopper H_(G) may meter an amount of the second foodstuff 418 that is approximately equal to a volume of the foodstuff-receiving cavity 426 less a volume of the first foodstuff 416 that is contained within the closure 420 prior to activating the heating element 414. The second foodstuff material 418 may include one or more of, but is not limited to: granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts, cereal or the like. Although the second foodstuff 418 is shown to include a plurality of pieces or units of foodstuff, the second foodstuff 418 may include one piece or one unit of foodstuff that is deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 426.

Referring to FIG. 18C, an exemplary view of the closure 420 is shown. The closure 420 includes a first cavity 429 a and a second cavity 429 b. The first cavity 429 a of the closure 420 is defined by a heating element retainer portion 425, a base portion 432 and a sidewall portion 434. The second cavity 429 b of the closure 420 is defined by a first foodstuff retainer portion 427, the base portion 432 and the sidewall portion 434. A chemically-activated material 430 is disposed within the first cavity 429 a, and the first foodstuff 416 is disposed within the second cavity 429 b. As will be described in the following disclosure, the heating element retainer portion 425 and the chemically-activated material 430 contributes to the formation of a first portion 414 a of the heating element 414.

The sidewall portion 434 is connected to each of the heating element retainer portion 425, the first foodstuff retainer portion 427 and the base portion 432. The sidewall portion 434 includes an inner surface 434 _(I), an outer surface 4340, an upper end portion 434 _(U), a lower end portion 434 _(L) and an intermediate portion 434 _(I).

The heating element retainer portion 425 includes an inner surface 4251 and an outer surface 4250. The heating element retainer portion 425 is connected to and extends from the upper end portion 434 _(U) of the sidewall portion 434. One or more passages 425 _(P) may extend through the heating element retainer portion 425 from the outer surface 425 _(O) to the inner surface 4251.

The base portion 432 includes an upper surface 432 _(U) and a lower surface 432 _(L). The base portion 432 is connected to and extends from the inner surface 434 _(I) of the sidewall portion 434 proximate the intermediate portion 434 _(I) of the sidewall portion 434.

The first foodstuff retainer portion 427 includes an inner surface 4271 and an outer surface 4270. The first foodstuff retainer portion 427 is connected to and extends from the lower end portion 434 _(L) of the sidewall portion 434. One or more passages 427 _(P) may extend through the first foodstuff retainer portion 427 from the outer surface 427 _(O) to the inner surface 4271.

The inner surface 434 _(I) of the sidewall portion 434, the inner surface 425 _(I) of the heating element retainer portion 425 and the upper surface 432 _(U) of the base portion 432 defines the first cavity 429 a that contains the chemically-activated material 430. The inner surface 434 _(I) of the sidewall portion 434, the inner surface 4271 of the first foodstuff retainer portion 427 and the lower surface 432 _(L) of the base portion 432 defines the second cavity 429 a that contains the first foodstuff 416.

The closure 420 may include an outwardly-extending projection 431 that extends away from the outer surface 434 _(O) of the sidewall portion 434 and the outer surface 427 _(O) of the first foodstuff retainer portion 427. The outwardly-extending projection 431 may include an outer surface 431 _(O) and an inner surface 431 _(I). The inner surface 4311 of the outwardly-extending projection 431 of the closure 420 may include a threaded surface (not shown) that cooperates with a corresponding threaded surface (not shown) formed upon a portion of the outer surface 424 _(O) of the sidewall portion 424 of the foodstuff container 412 in order to removably attach the closure 420 to the foodstuff container 412. Alternatively, the inner surface 431 _(I) of the outwardly-extending projection 431 of the closure 420 may be removably-attached to and cooperate with the outer surface 424 _(O) of the sidewall portion 424 of the foodstuff container 412 in other configurations (e.g., a friction-fit connection, a snap-fit connection or the like) in order to removably attach the closure 420 to the foodstuff container 412.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18C-18D, the second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 is shown. The second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 includes an inner surface 414 b _(I) and an outer surface 414 b _(O). As seen in FIGS. 18C-18D, the inner surface 414 b _(I) of the second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 425 _(O) of the heating element retainer 425. The second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 may be a removable film member that is discarded into a trash receptacle T once the inner surface 414 b _(I) of the second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 is selectively-detached from (and no longer disposed adjacent to) the outer surface 425 _(O) of the heating element retainer 425.

The chemically-activated material 430 may include an air-activated material, and more particularly, an oxygen-activated material, such as, for example, zinc. When the inner surface 414 b _(I) of the second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 425 _(O) of the heating element retainer 425, the second portion 414 b may prevent fluid communication between the cavity 429 and the atmosphere A through the one or more passages 425 _(P) extending through the heating element retainer 425. In particular, when the inner surface 414 b _(I) of the second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 425 _(O) of the heating element retainer 425, the one or more passages 425 _(P) may be prevented from fluidly communicating with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby preventing oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 425 _(P) for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 430). However, as will be described in the following disclosure at FIGS. 19B-19C, 20B-20C, a user U may selectively activate the chemically-activated material 430 by removing the second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 from the first portion 414 a of the heating element 414 in order to permit the oxygen O from the surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 425 _(P) and into the cavity 429 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activated material 430. When the oxygen O comes into contact with the chemically-activated material 430, a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activated material 430 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activated material 430 to generate heat.

Referring to FIGS. 19A-19D and 20A-20G, a method of utilizing the assembly 400 of FIG. 17 is described. Referring to FIGS. 19A-19B and 20A-20B, the second portion 414 b of the heating element 414, which may be a removable film member, is then selectively-detached from the outer surface 425 _(O) of the heating element retainer 425. As seen in FIG. 19C, once removed from the first portion 414 a of the heating element 414, the second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 may be discarded into a trash receptacle T.

Referring to FIGS. 19B-19D and 20B-20D, once the second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 is selectively-detached from the first portion 414 a of the heating element 414, the chemically-activated material 430 contained within the cavity 429 of the first portion 414 a of the heating element 414 is selectively activated. Activation of the chemically-activated material 430 contained within the first portion 414 a of the heating element 414 occurs when oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to be in fluid communication with the chemically-activated material 430. As described above, when the inner surface 414 b _(I) of the second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 425 _(O) of the heating element retainer 425, the one or more passages 425 _(P) of the heating element retainer 425 are not permitted to be in fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby not permitting oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 425 _(P) of the heating element retainer 425 for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 430). However, once the second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 is removed from the first portion 414 a of the heating element 414 as described above, an oxygen barrier formed by the second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 no longer exists, and, as a result, oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to pass through the one or more passages 425 _(P) of the heating element retainer 425 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activated material 430. When the oxygen O comes into contact with the chemically-activated material 430, a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activated material 430 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activated material 430 to generate heat H (see, e.g., FIGS. 20B-20D).

Referring to FIGS. 19B-19D and 20B-20D, the heat H generated by the chemically-activated material 430 of the first portion 414 a of the heating element 414 is passed through the base portion 432 of the closure 420 such that the heat H is ultimately imparted into and absorbed by the first foodstuff 416. Comparatively, as seen in FIGS. 20B-20D, the heat H causes the first foodstuff 416 to transition from a substantially solid state (see, e.g., FIG. 20B) to a melted, substantially liquid state (see, e.g., FIGS. 20C-20D). As seen in FIGS. 20C-20E, as the first foodstuff 416 transitions to a melted, substantially liquid form, the first foodstuff 416, with the assistance of gravity, vertically seeps or oozes downwardly through the one or more passages 427 _(P) of the first foodstuff retainer portion 427 and into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 426 of the foodstuff container 412 that contains the second foodstuff 418 such that the first foodstuff 416 is comingled throughout the second foodstuff 418 to define a comingled foodstuff F that is contained within foodstuff container 412.

Then, as seen in FIGS. 20E-20F, once a user U (see, e.g., FIG. 20G) has determined that most/all (or a desired amount) of the first foodstuff 416 has been evacuated from the closure 420, the user U may selectively-remove the closure 420 from the foodstuff container 412 such that the user U may access the foodstuff-receiving cavity 426 of the foodstuff container 412 that contains the comingled foodstuff F. If desired, as seen in FIG. 20F, the user U may arrange a utensil (e.g., a spoon SP) within the foodstuff-receiving cavity 426 of the foodstuff container 412 for mixing or stirring the comingled foodstuff F. Alternatively, the closure 420 could remain attached to the foodstuff container 412 and the comingled foodstuff F could be shaken. Then, as seen in FIG. 20G, the user U may consume the comingled foodstuff F.

In view of the above-described functionality of the heating element 414, it is seen that the first foodstuff 416 is heated H by a portion (i.e., the heating element 414) of the foodstuff packaging 412, 414, 420. In other words, the foodstuff packaging 412, 414, 420 provides a “self-heating” function that avoids the use of a non-packaging, external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven, a gas oven, an electric oven, a stove, fire or the like) for imparting heat to the first foodstuff 416. Furthermore, the arrangement of the heating element 414 in an opposing relationship with respect to the first foodstuff 416 (due to the arrangement of both of the chemically-activated material 430 of the heating element 414 and the first foodstuff 416 being contained within exclusive cavities 429 a, 429 b that are separated by the base portion 432 of the closure 420) substantially limits the heat H generated by the heating element 414 to be mostly received by the first foodstuff 416 and not the second foodstuff 418.

Aside from the benefit provided by the “self-heating” functionality of the foodstuff packaging 412, 414, 420 that avoids the use of a non-packaging external heat source to generate heat for melting the first foodstuff 416, use of some external heat sources (e.g., a microwave oven) may damage and/or ruin the second foodstuff 418 when the first foodstuff 416 and the second foodstuff 418 are both contained within foodstuff packaging (such as the foodstuff packaging 412, 414, 420 associated with the assembly 400). For example, should a microwave oven be utilized to impart heat to the first foodstuff 416, the first foodstuff 416 may, as desired, transition from a liquid state to a solid state; however, if the second foodstuff 418 is, for example, a “low moisture” food product, the second foodstuff 418 may undesirably burn (as a result of having very little or no moisture, which may be evaporated upon being heated) when microwave energy is imparted into the second foodstuff 418. Therefore, although some of the heat H generated by the heating element 414 may be imparted into the second foodstuff 418, the heat H from the heating element 414 may merely warm the second foodstuff 418 while also avoiding any damage/burning of the second foodstuff 418, which would otherwise occur if a non-packaging external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven) were to be utilized for heating the first foodstuff 416.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly comprising: foodstuff packaging including a chemically-activated heating element operable to generate heat; a first foodstuff disposed within the foodstuff packaging and including a first foodstuff material operable to transition from a first state to a second state upon application of the heat; and a second foodstuff disposed within the foodstuff packaging.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first foodstuff is separated from the second foodstuff when the first foodstuff is in the first state, and the first foodstuff is comingled throughout the second foodstuff when the first foodstuff is in the second state.
 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the second foodstuff is at least one of granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts, and cereal.
 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first foodstuff material is at least one of chocolate and fudge.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the chemically-activated heating element comprises zinc.
 6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein in the first state the first foodstuff is separated from the second foodstuff by a separator, the separator comprising a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, the first foodstuff operable to pass through the separator via the plurality of apertures when in the second state.
 7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the foodstuff packaging further includes a foodstuff container and a closure.
 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the heating element is attached to the foodstuff container.
 9. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the heating element is formed with the foodstuff container.
 10. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the heating element is formed with the closure.
 11. A method comprising: providing foodstuff packaging with a chemically-activated heating element operable to generate heat; disposing a first foodstuff within the foodstuff packaging, the first foodstuff including a first foodstuff material operable to transition from a first state to a second state upon application of the heat; and disposing a second foodstuff within the foodstuff packaging.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein disposing the first foodstuff within the foodstuff packaging includes separating the first foodstuff from the second foodstuff when the first foodstuff is arranged in the first state, and comingling the first foodstuff with the second foodstuff when the first foodstuff is arranged in the second state.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein disposing the second foodstuff within the foodstuff packaging includes disposing at least one of granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts, and cereal within the foodstuff packaging.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein disposing the first foodstuff within the foodstuff packaging includes disposing at least one of chocolate and fudge within the foodstuff packaging.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein providing the heating element with a chemically-activated material includes providing the heating element with zinc.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein separating the first foodstuff from the second foodstuff when the first foodstuff is in the first state includes positioning a separator between the first foodstuff and the second foodstuff.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the separator includes a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, the first foodstuff operable to pass through the separator via the plurality of apertures when in the second state.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the first state of the first foodstuff material is a solid state and the second state of the first foodstuff material is a liquid state.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein the first foodstuff is disposed intermediate the chemically activated heating element and the second foodstuff.
 20. An assembly comprising: a container defining a receiving cavity; a chemically-activated heating element disposed adjacent a first end of the receiving cavity, the heating element operable between a first temperature and a second temperature; a first foodstuff disposed within the receiving cavity adjacent the heating element, the first foodstuff operable between a solid state when the heating element is the first temperature and a liquid state when the heating element is the second temperature; and a second foodstuff disposed within the receiving cavity, the second foodstuff separated from the first foodstuff when the first foodstuff is in the first state and comingled with the first foodstuff when the first foodstuff is in the second state. 